XXXVI 



INTRODUCTION. 



the Landes, which fifty years ago was one of the poorest and most miserable in France, has 

 now been made one of the most prosperous owing to the planting of pines. The increased 

 value is estimated at no less than 100,000,000 francs. Where there were fifty years ago 

 only a few thousand poor and unhealthy shepherds, whose flocks pastured on the scanty herbage, 

 there are now saw-mills, charcoal kilns, and turpentine works, interspersed with thriving villages 

 and fertile agricultural lands. In our own country, though woodlands are perhaps on the 

 increase, true forest-country is gradually disappearing. This is, I suppose, unavoidable, but it is 

 a matter of regret. Forests have so many charms of their own. They give a delightful im- 

 pression of space and of abundance." 



There are many things in which we may take useful lessons from the Germans, and not the 

 least of these is in the State management of the forests. As Mr. Michael Morrison informs us, 

 for many years past a very conservative policy has been pursued by the various German States 

 with regard to their woods and forests, which are looked upon as one of the most important assets 

 of the country. For thirty years or more the art of forestry has been practised by all the States 

 with a skill and with an application of scientific methods to practical details which are bound in 

 the end to secure complete success. This proceeds on the knowledge that nothing affects climate 

 more than the presence of large forested districts, both by offering protection against inclement 

 winds and by their influence on the humidity of the atmosphere and soil. In Germany the 

 State does not permit the private owner of woodlands to do as he likes with his own. While 

 allowing him a certain amount of freedom in planting and deforesting, it exercises everywhere a 

 wholesome control, so as to prevent his doing anything that might, in a general way, injure the 

 district ; in fact, treating the freeholder as if he were only an occupier. His woods are of im- 

 portance not for him alone, or merely for the present time, but for the entire community and for 

 all time. Owing to the complete deforesting of large tracts on the northern sea-coast in the 

 eighteenth century, an extensive shore-line was exposed to the prevailing sea-winds, and the sand 

 dunes which were kept back by the forests have now so far encroached that they cover the sites 

 of once populous and flourishing villages, and are threatening to choke up in time the estuaries of 

 numerous streams. 



There are tens of thousands of acres of Crown lands in New Zealand that are capable of 

 being afforested ; and, from every point of view, there could not be a better or more profitable in- 

 vestment of public funds.* 



* On the principle of giving " honour where honour is due," I am glad to place on permanent record the following 

 extract from a newspaper article which appeared in the Colony in September, 1893 : — " For several years Mr. E. M'Nab, 

 M.H.R., has been foremost in the House in urging upon the Government the necessity of taking active steps to preserve 

 the native flora and fauna of New Zealand, and to protect for future generations to enjoy, some of the picturesque 

 stretches of river scenery which are in danger of destruction. The member for Mataura has gone further than others 

 who support him in this matter, and has put forward many practical suggestions. A return to his order was furnished 

 to the House yesterday, and shows the condition of affairs in some districts. In June of 1902, the conference of New 

 Zealand horticulturists, which met at Dunedin, passed a resolution deploring the vandalism which was destroying the 

 flora of the colony, and asking the Government to step in. Questions were formulated and sent to the various Com- 

 missioners of Crown Lands, asking what had been done in the way of conserving the forests on the upper reaches of 

 the rivers and streams to ensure water supplies, and distribute the rainfall ; the destruction of the hills ; and conserv- 

 ng stretches of river banks and beauty spots. Mr. Mackenzie (Taranaki) attributes the fertility of that province to the 

 copious rainfall caused by the position and altitude of Mount Egmont. A half-mile strip along the banks of the 

 Mokau is advocated for scenic purposes, and Mr. Mackenzie commends the work done by his predecessor, and says if 

 it is thought lightly of and neglected, in fifty years' time much, if not all, of what was once lovely, beautiful and cha- 

 racteristic of New Zealand bird and forest life, will be gone for ever, and referred to as matters of history only. It is 

 needless to say that, once gone, there will be but little chance of ever replacing it, at any rate quite impossible in its 

 old primeval grandeur." 



